Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Community Psychology View of Environmental Organization Processes

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
American Journal of Community Psychology

Abstract

Environmental organizations have a key role in addressing environmental degradation and promoting ecologically and socially sustainable societies. Psychosocial processes underpin their work, however, empirical studies of these processes remain underdeveloped. This paper presents the first stage of a community psychology study involving in-depth interviews with leaders in environmental organizations. Qualitative analysis revealed a framework of five types of psychosocial processes that assist environmental organizations to achieve a range of outcomes, namely: problem analysis; influencing decision-making; inter-organizational relationships; community participation and knowledge transfer. These psychosocial processes were used in substantially different ways depending on the organizations’ orientation. Three key orientations towards outcomes were evident: on-ground conservation, developing innovation in specialist areas and transforming wider social institutions. The findings provide a model of the psychosocial processes involved in fostering sustainable futures and exemplify the contribution of community psychology to this critical global issue.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Identification of these processes involved an iterative process shifting between the literature review and the findings from this qualitative study. Thus, while this article has a linear, incremental structure, the academic process involved several cycles of literature review, data analysis, reflection and further literature review.

  2. Data illuminating the psychosocial processes utilised by specialist organizations, was limited in comparison with conservation and systems transformation organizations. Fewer informants (five) represented this organization category, and these organizations addressed diverse ecological issues. Where there was insufficient evidence of consistent patterns or contrasting approaches for this orientation, in comparison with conservation or systems transformation organizations, no discussion is included. Indeed, this paper argues that that in many instances the approaches by specialist organizations reflect a form of overlap or blurring between the more contrasting orientations of the conservation and systems transformation orientations.

  3. An expanded version of these pointers was provided to the research participants as part of the feedback about the study’s findings.

References

  • Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bazerman, M. H. (Ed.) (1997). Environment, ethics, and behavior: The psychology of environmental valuation and degradation. San Francisco: New Lexington Press.

  • Beder, S. (1993). The nature of sustainable development. Newham, Australia: Scribe Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beierle, T., & Konisky, D. (2000). Values, conflict and trust in participatory environmental planning. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 19(4), 587–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, E. (2005) Environmental degredation and ecologically minded alternatives. In G. Nelson & I. Prilleltensky (Eds.), Community psychology: In pursuit of liberation and well-being. Houndsmills: Palgrave MacMillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biglan, A., & Taylor, T. K. (2000). Why have we been more successful in reducing tobacco use than violent crime? American Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 269–302.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bookman, T. S. (1990). Self-help groups at the turning point: Emerging egalitarian alliances with the formal health system. American Journal of Community Psychology, 18, 321–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braidotti, R., Charkiewicz, E., Häusler, S., & Wieringa, S. (1994). Women, the environment and sustainable development: Towards a theoretical synthesis. London: Zed Books/Instraw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brand, K. W. (1999). Dialectics of institutionalisation: The transformation of the environmental movement in Germany. Environmental Politics, 8(1), 35–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bratt, C. (1999). The impact of norms and assumed consequences on recycling behavior. Environment & Behavior, 31(5), 630–656.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brody, J. G. (2000). Contemporary intersections C. Environmental issues. In J. Rappaport & E. Seidman (Eds.), Handbook of community psychology. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butterfoss, F. D., Goodman, R. M., & Wandersman, A. (1996). Community coalitions for prevention and health promotion: Factors predicting satisfaction, participation and planning. Health Education Quarterly, 23(1), 65–79.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carley, M., & Christie, I. (2000). Managing sustainable development (2nd ed.). London: Earthscan Publications Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, R. Y. K., & Yam, E. (1995). Green movement in a newly industrializing area: A survey on the attitudes and behavior of the Hong Kong citizens. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 5(4), 273–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatterjee, P., & Finger, M. (1994). The earth brokers: Power, politics and world development. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chesters, G., & Welsh, I. (2004). Rebel colours: ‘Framing’ in global social movements. Sociological Review, 52(3), 314–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Claridge, C. L. (1997). Successful community-based environmental management through individual and group empowerment strategies. Brisbane, Qld.: Queensland Department of Natural Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotgrove, S. (1982). Catastrophe or cornucopia: The environment, politics and the future. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crook, S., & Pakulski, J. (1995). Shades of green: Public opinion on environmental issues in Australia. Australian Journal of Political Science, 30, 39–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalton, R. (1994). The green rainbow: Environmental groups in Western Europe. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Danter, K. J., Griest, D. L., Mullins, G. W., & Norland, E. (2000). Organizational change as a component of ecosystem management. Society and Natural Resources, 13, 537–547.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Vaus, D. A. (2002). Surveys in social research. St. Leonards, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dean, J. (2003). Environmental organization achievements: The role of psychosocial processes. Unpublished Ph.D., The University of Queensland, Brisbane.

  • della Porta, D., & Diani, M. (1999). Social movements: An introduction. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewulf, A., Craps, M., & Dercon, G. (2004). How issues get framed and reframed when different communities meet: A multi-level analysis of a collaborative soil conservation initiative in the Ecuadorian Andes. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 14, 177–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diani, M., & Donati, P. R. (1999). Organizational change in Western European environmental groups: A framework for analysis. Environmental Politics, 8(1), 13–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, T., Ostrom, E., & Stern, P. C. (2003). The struggle to govern the commons. Science, 302, 1907–1912.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doyle, T. (2001). Green power: The environment movement in Australia. Sydney, Australia: University of New South Wales Press.

  • Doyle, T., & McEachern, D. (1998). Environment and politics. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap, R. E., Van Liere, K. D., Mertig, A. G., & Jones, R. E. (2000). New trends in measuring environmental attitudes: Measuring endorsement of the New Ecological Paradigm: A revised NEP scale. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 425–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edelstein, M. R. (1988). Contaminated communities: The social and psychological impacts of residential toxic exposure. Boulder, CO: Westview.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, S., Grayson, R. B., & Argent, R. M. (2000). Science, citizens and catchments: Decision support for catchment planning in Australia. Society and Natural Resources, 13, 443–459.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fairweather, G. W. (1972). Social change: The challenge to survival. Morristown, N.J.: General Learning Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, S. B., Paine-Andrews, A., Francisco, V. T., Schultz, J. A., Richter, K. P., Lewis, R. K., Williams, E. L., Harris, K. J., Berkley, J. Y., Fisher, J. L., & Lopez, C. M. (1995). Using empowerment theory in collaborative partnerships for community health and development. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 677–697.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Freire, P. (1973). Education for critical consciousness. New York: Seabury Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freudenburg, W. R., & Youn, T. I. K. (1999). Institutional failure in environmental management: Toward a fuller understanding of social problems and public policy. Research in Social Problems and Public Policy, 7, 3–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gamson, W. A. (1975). The strategy of social protest. Homewood, Ill: Dorsey Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R. M. (2000). Bridging the gap in effective program implementation: From concept to application. Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 309–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R. M., Wandersman, A., Chinman, M., Imm, P., & Morrissey, E. (1996a). An ecological assessment of community-based interventions for prevention and health promotion: Approaches to measuring community coalitions. American Journal of Community Psychology, 24(1), 33–61.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R. M., Wandersman, A., Chinman, M. J., Imm, P. S., & Morrissey, E. (1996b). An attempt to identify and define the dimensions of community capacity to provide a basis for measurement. Health Education and Behavior, 25, 258–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, B. (2004). Strong opposition: Frame-based resistance to collaboration. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 14, 166–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hake, D. F., & Zane, T. (1981). A community-based gasoline conservation project: Practical and methodological considerations. Behavior Modification, 5(4), 435–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallman, W., & Wandersman, A. (1992). Attribution of responsibility and individual and collective coping with environmental threats. Journal of Social Issues, 48, 101–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, R. (1998). Environmental decision-making. The roles of scientists, engineers and the public. Leichhardt, N.S.W.: The Federation Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatzius, T. (1996). Sustainability and institutions-catchwords or new agenda for ecologically sound development. Brighton, UK: IDS Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawe, P. (1994). Capturing the meaning of ‘community’ in community intervention evaluation: Some contributions from community psychology. Health Promotion International, 9(3), 199–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R., Baird, A., & Buchanan, D. (1999). Aborigines and fire in the wet tropics of Queensland, Australia: Ecosystem management across cultures. Society and Natural Resources, 12, 205–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutton, D., & Connors, L. (1999). A history of the Australian environment movement. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ife, J. W. (2002). Community development: Community-based alternatives in an age of globalisation. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W: Pearson Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamieniecki, S., Coleman, S., & Vos, R. O. (1995). The effectiveness of radical environmentalists. In B. R. Raymond Taylor (Ed.), Ecological resistance movements: The global emergence of radical and popular environmentalism. Albany: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J. G., Ryan, A. M., Altman, B. E., & Stelzner, S. P. (2000). Understanding and changing social systems: An ecological view. In J. Rappaport & E. Seidman (Eds.), Handbook of community psychology. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kollmuss, A., & Agyeman, J. (2002). Mind the gap: Why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behavior? Environmental Education Research, 8(3), 239–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, M., & Perkins, D. V. (1997). Principles of community psychology: Perspectives and applications. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lofland, J. (1971). Analyzing social settings: A guide to qualitative observation and analysis. Belmont: Wadsworth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, F. J., & Arnold, M. B. (1995). The power of environmental partnerships. Fort Worth, TX: Dryden Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowe, P., & Goyder, J. (1983). Environmental groups in politics. London: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig, D., Hillborn, R., & Walters, C. (1993). Uncertainty, resource exploitation, and conservation: Lessons from history. Science, 260(17), 36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maton, K. I., & Salem, D. A. (1995). Organizational characteristics of empowering community settings: A multiple case study approach. American Journal of Community Psychology, 21(5), 631–655.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, J. P., & Davidson, W. S. II (2000). Dissemination of innovation as social change. In J. Rappaport & E. Seidman (Eds.), Handbook of community psychology. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mays, N., & Pope, C. (2000). Qualitative research in health care: Assessing quality in qualitative research. British Medical Journal, 320, 50–52.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McAdam, D., McCarthy, J. D., & Zald, M. N. (Eds.) (1996). Comparative perspectives on social movements: Political opportunities, mobilizing structures and cultural framings. New York: Cambridge University Press.

  • McMillan, B., Florin, P., Stevenson, J., Kerman, B., & Mitchell, R. E. (1995). Empowerment praxis in community coalitions. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 699–728.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melucci, A. (1989). Nomads of the present. Social movements and individual needs in contemporary society. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merchant, C. (1992). Radical ecology: The search for a livable world. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metzner, R. (1999). Green psychology: Transforming our relationship to the earth. Rochester, Vt.: Park Street Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, A. (1999). Environmental problem-solving: Psychosocial barriers to adaptive change. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minichiello, V., Aroni, R., Timewell, E., & Alexander, L. (1995). In-depth interviewing: Principles, techniques, analysis. Melbourne: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orford, J. (1992). Community psychology: Theory and practice. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Riordan, T. (1981). Environmentalism (2nd ed.). London: Pion.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oskamp, S. (2000). Psychological contributions to achieving an ecologically sustainable future for humanity. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 373–390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostrom, E. (1990). Governing the commons: The political economy of institutions and decisions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakulski, J., & Crook, S. (1998). The environment in Australian print media, 1983–1996. In J. Pakulski & S. Crook (Eds.), Ebbing of the green tide? Environmentalism, public opinion and the media in Australia. Hobart: University of Tasmania, School of Sociology and Social Work.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perkins, D. D., & Zimmerman, M. A. (1995). Empowerment theory, research and application. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 569–579.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, N. A., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2004). Beyond the individual: Toward a nomological network of organizational empowerment. American Journal of Community Psychology, 34(1/2), 129–145.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. A. (2000). Social policy and community psychology. In J. Rappaport & E. Seidman (Eds.), Handbook of community psychology. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poncelet, E. C. (2004). Partnering for the environment: Multistakeholder collaboration in a changing world. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poortinga, W., Steg, L., & Vlek, C. (2004). Values, environmental concern, and environmental behavior: A study into household energy use. Environment & Behavior, 36(1), 70–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope, C., & Mays, N. (1995). Reaching the parts other methods cannot reach: An introduction to qualitative methods in health and health services research. British Medical Journal, 311, 42–45.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quaghebeur, K., Masschelein, J., & Nguyen, H. H. (2004). Paradox of participation: Giving or taking part. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 14, 154–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qualitative Solutions and Research Pty Ltd. (1997). QSR NUD.IST user guide: Software for qualitative data analysis. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications Software.

  • Rappaport, J. (1977). Community psychology: Values research and action. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rappaport, J. (1981). In praise of paradox: A social policy of empowerment over prevention. American Journal of Community Psychology, 9(1), 1–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rappaport, J. (1987). Terms of empowerment/exemplars of prevention: Toward a theory for community psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology, 15, 121–148.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rich, R. C., Edelstein, M., Hallman, W. K., & Wandersman, A. H. (1995). Citizen participation and empowerment: The case of local environmental hazards. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 657–676.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riger, S. (1984). Vehicles for empowerment: The case of feminist movement organizations. In J. Rappaport & R. Hess (Eds.), Studies in empowerment: Steps towards understanding and action. New York: The Haworth Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, H., Buchy, M., & Proctor, W. (2002). Laying down the ladder: A typology of public participation in natural resource management. Australian Journal of Environmental Management, 9, 205–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roszak, T., Gomes, M. E., & Kanner, A. D. (1995). Ecopsychology: Restoring the earth, healing the mind. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, W. (1993). Global ecology: A new arena of political conflict. London: Zed Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlosberg, D. (1999). Networks and mobile arrangements: Organizational innovation in the US environmental justice movement. Environmental Politics, 8(1), 122–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shippee, G. E., & Gregory, W. L. (1982). Public commitment and energy conservation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 10(1), 81–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, P. (1992). Psychological dimensions of global environmental change. Annual Review of Psychology, 43, 269–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1994). Grounded theory methodology: An overview. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarrow, S. (1992). Mentalities, political cultures and collective action frames: Constructing meaning through action. In A. D. Morris & C. M. Mueller (Eds.), Frontiers in social movement theory (pp. 174–202). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarrow, S. (1994). Power in movement: Social movement, collective action and politics. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarrow, S. (1998). Power in movement: Social movements and contentious politics (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  • Toro, P. A., & Warren, M. G. (1999). Homelessness in the United States: Policy considerations. Journal of Community Psychology, 27(2), 119–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trickett, E. J. (1994). Human diversity and community psychology: Where ecology and empowerment meet. American Journal of Community Psychology, 22(4), 583–592.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trickett, E. J. (1996). A future for community psychology: The contexts of diversity and the diversity of contexts. American Journal of Community Psychology, 24(2), 209–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuler, S., & Webler, T. (1999). Voices from the forest: What participants expect of a public participation process. Society and Natural Resources, 12, 437–453.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). (1992). Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development. New York: United Nations Department of Public Information.

  • United Nations University, E. a. S. D. P. (2004). Mission statement. Retrieved 20 August 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://www.unu.edu/env/.

  • Wagenaar, A. C., Gehan, J. P., Jones-Webb, R., Toomey, T. L., Forster, J. L., Wolfson, M., & Murray, D. M. (1999). Communities mobilizing for change on alcohol: Lessons and results from a 15 community randomized trial. Journal of Community Psychology, 27(3), 315–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wandersman, A., & Florin, P. (2000). Citizen participation and community organizations. In J. Rappaport & E. Seidman (Eds.), Handbook of community psychology. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wandersman, A. H., & Hallman, W. (1993). Are people acting irrationally?: Understanding public concerns about environmental threats. American Psychologist, 48(6), 681–686.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yearly, S. (2005). Cultures of environmentalism: Empirical studies in environmental sociology. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yencken, D., & Wilkinson, D. (2000). Resetting the compass. Australia’s journey towards sustainability. Collingwood, Vic: CSIRO Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, M. A. (1995). Psychological empowerment: Issues and illustrations. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23(5), 581–599.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, M. A., & Rappaport, J. (1988). Citizen participation, perceived control, and psychological empowerment. American Journal of Community Psychology, 16, 725–750.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Julie H. Dean

  2. Department of Public Policy, Faculty of Business, Economics and Policy Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Gadong, Brunei

    Robert A. Bush

Authors
  1. Julie H. Dean
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert A. Bush
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julie H. Dean.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dean, J.H., Bush, R.A. A Community Psychology View of Environmental Organization Processes. Am J Community Psychol 40, 146–166 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-007-9123-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-007-9123-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation